62 OVOLAU. 
Kai Ambau, but are not exactly slaves. About eight years before our 
arrival, dissensions arose between these two classes, which resulted in 
Tanoa’s being expelled, and obliged to seek refuge in another part of 
his dominions. 
According to Whippy, at the commencement of the present century, 
Bamivi ruled at Ambau; he was succeeded by his son Ulivou. At 
this time Verata was the principal city of the Feejees, and its chiefs 
held the rule: this city or town is about eight miles from Ambau, 
on Vitilevu; the islands of Ovolau, Goro, Ambatiki, Angau, and others 
were subject to it, as was also Rewa. The introduction of fire-arms 
brought about a great change of power; this happened in the year 
1809. The brig Eliza was wrecked on the reef off Nairai, and had 
both guns and powder on board. Nairai was at this time a dependency 
of Ambau, and many of the crew, in order to preserve their lives, 
showed the natives the use of (to them) the new instrument. Among 
the crew was a Swede, called Charley Savage, who acted a very 
conspicuous part in the group for some few years. These men joined 
the Ambau people, instructed them in the use of the musket, and 
assisted them in their wars. The chief of Ambau was at that time 
Ulivou, who gladly availed himself of their services, granting them 
many privileges; among others, it is said that Charley Savage had a 
hundred wives! ‘Taking advantage of all the means he now possessed 
to extend his own power and reduce that of Verata, he finally suc- 
ceeded, either by fighting or intrigue, in cutting off all its dependencies, 
leaving the chief of Verata only his town to rule over. 
In the early part of Ulivou’s reign a conspiracy broke out against 
him, but he discovered it, and was able to expel the rebels from 
Ambau. They fled to Rewa, where they made some show of resis- 
tance; he however overcame them. They then took refuge on Goro, 
where he again sought them, pursued them to Somu-somu, and drove 
them thence. Their next step was to go to Lakemba, in order to col- 
lect a large fleet of canoes and riches, for the purpose of gaining allies 
on Vitilevu ; but they were again pursued, and being met with at sea, 
were completely destroyed. This fully established Ulivou’s authority, 
and the latter part of his reign was unmarked by any disturbances or 
rebellion against his rule. He died in 1829. Tanoa, his brother, the 
present king, was at this time at Lakemba, on one of the eastern 
islands, engaged, according to Whippy, in building a large canoe, 
which he named Ndranuivio, (the Via-leaf,) a large plant of the arum 
species. When the news reached him he immediately embarked for 
Ambau, and on his arrival found all the chiefs disposed to make him 
king. It is said that he at first refused the dignity, lest “they should 
a al 
